Andy Kovacs is the Fire Chief of the Monument Fire District. Andy has dedicated nearly 38 years of public safety experience to Southern California and Colorado residents. Chief Kovacs started his emergency services career at 16, working as a lifeguard at some of Southern California’s busiest beaches. In 1990, Andy was hired by the Orange County Fire Department, CA, and held the positions of firefighter, paramedic, fire captain, battalion chief, assistant fire training officer, EMS supply and equipment coordinator, recruit academy instructor, California Urban Search and Rescue Taskforce 5 safety officer, and division chief. Chief Kovacs is a lifelong learner with a Bachelor of Business Administration and Organizational Leadership from Chapman University and a Master of Public Administration from Columbia Southern University. Andy received the designation of Chief Fire Officer from the Center for Public Safety Excellence and is a graduate of the National Fire Academy’s Executive Fire Officer Program and the International Association of Fire Chiefs Fire Service Executive Development Institute. Andy is committed to preparing the next generation of firefighters to assume greater leadership responsibilities through succession planning, coaching, and mentoring.